Folding stool.



J. TOMASSI.

FOLDING STOOL.

APPLICATiON FILED 050.12. 1913.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915'.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NoRkls' PETERS 00.. PHDTQLITHQ. WASHINGYON. o c

J. TOMASSI.

FOLDING STOOL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 12. 1913.

m Patented Apr. 13, 11915.

2 SHEETSSHBET 2.

IHE NORRIS PETERS COH F'HOTQLITHOU wASHINumN, D. c.

@i ii JOSEPH TOMASSI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING STOOL.

Application filed December 12, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that T, Josnrn ToMAssI, a former subject of the Czar of Russia, who have declared my intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Stools, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in folding stools and has for its object the production of a stool of this character which will be of improved construction and efficient in use. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combina tions and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stool in folded or collapsed condition, Fig. 2 is an end view of the stool in the condition shown in Fig. l, the seat of the stool being shown in dotted lines wrapped around the folded base thereof to serve as a casing therefor, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the seat of the stool detached, Fig. 4: is a side elevation of the stool in unfolded or operative condition, Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the upper end of one of the legs of the lower section of the base of the stool, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of one of the leg members of the upper section of the base.

The preferred form of construction as illustrated in the drawings comprises a base consisting of upper and lower sections.

- The lower section consists of three similar leg members 1 the upper ends of which are provided with outwardly or laterally projecting hooks 2 for pivotal engagement with a frame band 3 which is triangular in outline, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The hooks 2 are formed integral with reinforcing plates 4 which are secured centrally in the upper ends of the leg members 1 by means of pins or screws 5. The leg members 1, when the stool is in use, diverge downwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, the same being locked in this position by means cooperating with the upper ends thereof which will be hereinafter described. Said leg members are so connected with the band Specification of Letters Patent.

latonted Apr. f3, TElll5.

Serial No. 806,222.

3 that, when the upper ends thereof are released, said leg members may be rocked or folded into parallel relation, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The upper section of said base consists of three similar leg members 6 each of which is provided at its lower end with a reinforcing plate 7 secured thereto by means of pins or screws8, said leg members being provided with longitudinally extending slits 9 for the accommodation of said plates, as shown in the several views. The lower ends of plates 7 project beyond the lower ends of said leg members and are pivotally connected at 10 with a frame member comprising angular plates 11, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Then the stool is unfolded or in operative position, the upper ends of the leg members 6 divergebeing retained in this position by means hereinafter described. The pivotal connection between said leg members is,however, such that,when the upper ends of said leg members are released, the latter may be rocked or folded together into parallel relation and slid to position between and in registration with the leg members 1, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said leg members 1 and 6 being alternately arranged in order to permit of this sliding or telescoping, as will be readily understood. Tn order to prevent detachment of the leg members 6 from the leg members 1, the plates 11, at the lower ends of the legs 6 are provided with integral studs 12 and plates 13', at the tops of legs 6, are provided with studs 13, said studs 12 and 13 being adapted to engage against the band 3 and thus prevent leg members 6 from being disconnected from the leg n1embers 1. The lower edge of the band 3 is re cessed or notched at 12 in order to accommodate the lugs 12, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Cooperating with the leg members 6 are links 14: the outer ends of which engage in the longitudinal slots 9 in said legs, being pivotally connected with the latter at 15. The inner ends of the links M are pivotally connected at 16 with angular plates 17. The plates 17 are free to move vertically with the inner ends of the links 14 being adapted, when the upper base section is in folded condition, to be positioned in registration with the upper ends of the legs 6 which are recessed as at 19 in order to accommodate said plates. As the upper ends of said leg members are rocked outwardly or unfolded, the

plates 17 will move downwardly and assume the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, partial folded position being illustrated in dotted lines in said figure.

; Formed in each of the plates 17 in the ver-' tex thereof is a socket 18 which is formed through punching. The sockets 18 are adaptedto snugly receive the upper ends of the leg members 1 when the plates 17 are in their 'lower positions, as shown in full lines in Fig. 4, in order to firmly lock the leg members 1 in unfolded or operative position, said leg members 1 at the same time serving as a stop to limit downward movement of said plates 17 and hence the inner ends of links 14 which results in'locking the leg members 6 in unfolded positions.

Supported at the upper end of the base is a flexible seat 20 formed preferably of fabric and which is triangular in outline. At the periphery of said'seat are outwardly extending straps 21 adapted to engage over the upper ends of the leg members 6, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Said straps are provided with perforations adapted for engagement with the studs 13 in order to support the seat in operative position, as shown in Fig. 4. The upper ends of the plates 13 are provided with recesses 22 adapted to receive the straps 21 in "order to prevent lateral displacement thereof from engagement with the upper ends of said leg members when the stool is in use.

In using the stool, the Weight of the person seated thereon will have a tendency to rock the upper ends ofthe leg members 6 inwardly which of course will have a tendency to force the inner ends of links 14 downwardly. This downward pressure upon the links 14 will serve simply to force the sockets 18 into closer engagement with the upper ends of leg members 1 serving to more securely hold the latter in operative position and resulting in a base structure possessing great firmness and rigidity.

The seat member 20 being formed of flexible material, the same, when the base of the stool is folded or collapsed, is adapted to serve as a casing therefor, said seat member being provided with a buckle 23 adapted for cooperation with one of the straps 21 of said seat member in order to secure the latter aboutthe folded base as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

In'unfolding the stool from folded condition, as shown in Fig. 1, the upper and lower sections of the base are slid longitudinally of each other until the stops 12 contact with the band 3. The upper ends of the leg members 6 are then rocked outwardly causing the inner ends of the links 1 1 to be rocked downwardly carrying the plates 17 therewith. The lower ends of leg members 1 are then rocked outwardly until the upper ends thereof engage against the plates 17. The

inner ends of links 14 are then rocked downwardly by the pressure of the hand to effect engagement of the sockets 18 with the upper ends of leg members 1 thus completing the unfolding operation of the base of the stool. This being effected all that remains is to attach the seat 20 which is readily and easily done by engagement of the straps 21 with the studs 18. In folding the stool, the reverse course of operation is resorted to, as will be readily understood.

A stool of the construction set forth is durable and economical in construction. When the same is unfolded a stool is presented which possesses great firmness and rigidity and when folded or collapsed occupies small space so as to be readily carried about in the hand or in a grip.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding stool comprising a frame band; a set of lower leg members pivoted to and depended from said frame band; extensions on said leg members extending through and above said band; a set of upper leg members pivotally connected at their lower ends and extending upwardly from said band; a seat at the tops of said upper leg members; a socket member engaging said extensions of said lower leg members; and connecting links connecting said socket member with said upper leg members looking all of said leg members against pivotal movement, substantially as described.

2. A folding stool comprising a frame band; a set of lower leg members pivoted to and depended from said frame band; extensions on said leg members extending through and above said band; a set of upper leg members pivotally connected at their lower ends and extending upwardly from said band; a seat member connecting the upper ends of said upper leg members; a socket member engaging said extensions; and connecting links connecting said socket members with said upper leg members locking all of said leg members against pivotal movement, substantially as described.

3. A folding stool comprising a frame band; a set of lower leg members pivoted to and depended from said frame band; extensions on said leg members extending through and above said band; a frame member mounted in said band and having portions engaging the lower edge of said band; a set of upper leg members pivoted to said frame member and extending upwardly from said band; a seat member connecting the upper ends of said upper leg members; a socket member fitted over the extensions of said lower leg members; and connecting links connecting said upper leg members with said socket members, substantially as described.

4:. A. folding stool comprising a frame band having notches in its lower edge a set of lower leg members disposed in and depended from said band; extensions on said leg members extending through and above said band; a frame member disposed between said lower leg members in said band and having portions engaging the notches of the latter; upper leg members extending above said band; a seat member connecting the upper ends of said upper leg members; a plate secured in each of said leg members and pivoted to said frame member; a socket member engaging over said extensions and binding the upper ends of said lower leg members together; and a connecting link connecting each of said upper leg members with said socket member, substantially as described.

5. A folding stool comprising a substantially triangular band having a notch in the lower edge of each side thereof; lower leg members having their upper ends disposed in and pivoted to the angular portions of said band; extensions on said leg members extending through and above said band; a frame member in said band between said lower leg members adapted to slide downwardly to the lower ends of the latter; lugs on said frame member in said notches preventing upward movement of said frame member through said band; upper leg members having their lower ends in said band between said lower leg members adapted to slide downwardly through said band, the lower ends of said upper leg members being pivoted to said frame member; a seat member connecting the upper ends of said upper leg members; a socket member engaging over said extensions of said lower leg members between said upper leg members; and connecting links connecting said upper leg members with said socket member and adapted to permit the latter to move upwardly and bring said upper leg members in parallel relation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH TOMASSI.

Witnesses:

JOSHUA R. H. PoTTs, ARTHUR A. OLsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing" the Commissioner of} Patents,

Washington, D. 0'. 

